Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS HOME SWAPPING?Home Swap is a simple concept where two property owners exchange or "swap" houses for an agreed period of time.

WHAT TYPE OF PEOPLE USE PREMIUM HOME SWAP?Premium Home Swap is suited to anyone looking for either a cost effective or more insightful holiday experience. Home swapping is extremely popular among families and retirees or anyone looking for a holiday experience where they get to "live like the locals" do.

HOW DOES IT WORK?The concept is extremely simple:

1. Sign up to Premium Home Swap as a member2. Add your property listing which includes information and photos of your house as well as some brief profile information about you and / or your family.3. Search for properties and destinations in which you may wish to enjoy a holiday4. Once you find a property that interests you propose a swap with the owner via our private online messaging service5. Agree to dates and any other details and then enjoy a cost effective and carefree home swap and holiday experience.

WHAT DOES IT COST?For a limited time membership is free! Once the free period has ceased a twelve month Premium Home Swap membership will cost USD$220 per year. Once you are a member there are no other costs incurred aside from your travel costs to and from your swap destination. No money changes hands in relation to your swap, you simply swap homes, regardless of equality in value or location. You can swap as many times as you wish each year saving you thousands of dollars in accommodation costs.

WHAT DO I GET AS PART OF MY MEMBERSHIP?You receive the following benefits for being a member of Premium Home Swap.

1. The opportunity to participate in home swapping via the webs leading purpose built online home swap marketplace - www.premiumhomeswap.com 2. The chance to list and manage either a single or multiple properties3. Access to a wide range of potential holiday properties at no cost all over the world4. A secure and accessible "My Account" area where you can edit listings, add content, privately message other members and receive invitations to swap from other members.5. Ongoing email and phone support from Premium Home Swap staff

DOES MY HOUSE HAVE TO BE OF A 'PREMIUM' NATURE TO BE INCLUDED ON PREMIUM HOME SWAP?No, the word "PREMIUM" in home swap refers to our service, not the type of houses listed on the site. However it must be said the better quality of your house or location, the more likely you will receive requests for swaps or have others agree to swap with you. Remember though people are looking for different things, a bungalow on a beach in Australia may be attractive to someone who lives in a luxury penthouse in London or a farmhouse in Mexico may suit a family from suburban France for example. Always keep in mind there are many different reasons why people swap homes. A potential home exchange partner may wish to be near a loved one or
family member, or perhaps need to come to your area for business
reasons. So your home may be just the ticket for someone
wanting to exchange with you. Don't be overly concerned what your property is like, list it and see
where the journey takes you!

IS HOME SWAPPING SAFE?There is no reason why you should have any concerns regarding the swapping of your home however you can put your mind at ease by following some basic home swap rules. These include:

1. Get to know your "home swap partner" well via the secure messaging service that is built into Premium Home Swap and once you are comfortable via a phone call2. Request referrals from any prior exchanges 3. Remove any valuables from your home prior to the exchange. For example it would be advisable to put away any jewelery prior to your swap.4. Make reliable arrangements for the pick up and drop off of keys to your home

Remember each party to the swap is using each others house and you have full details of one another so the likelihood of either party doing anything wrong to one anothers property is extremely remote. The home swap community is made up with like minded people so safety should not be a concern.

WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE AND LIABILITY?Check with your own insurance company regarding your individual policy however it would be rare for your insurance not to cover your home swap partners as invited guests in your home. If unsure call your insurance company for verification.

WHAT ABOUT SWAPPING VEHICLES?Some members choose to swap their vehicles also, this is entirely up to you and needs to be negotiated as part of your home exchange. Again be sure ot check your vehicle insurance policy in regards to having someone else drive your vehicle.

DO HOME SWAPS HAVE TO OCCUR SIMULTANEOUSLY?The majority of home swaps happen at the same time however this does not need to occur if you negotiate a different time frame with your home swap partner. Many members have second homes that they swap also so timing is not as important to them.

HOW LONG IS THE AVERAGE HOME SWAP?There is no average length of a home swap however one to two weeks is quite usual. Weekend exchanges in local areas are also quite popular.

WHAT INFORMATION ABOUT ME AND MY FAMILY IS MADE PUBLIC ON THE SITE?It is up to you what information you provide on your listing profile however all personal information you provide Premium Home Swap is privacy protected. Personal information includes your email address, home address (you only add your suburb on your listing), payment details, phone numbers and family name are all hidden from public view and not released to any third party under any circumstances. All communication is made via private messaging as part of the member area of the site with other members only viewing your first name and property details until you decide to further your agreement to swap.